Introduction: Dospat is a sleepy hill town with a large The Miraculous bridges (1450 m a.s.l.) The Rodopi Mountains are situated in Pomak (Slav Muslim) population. are 2 unique natural rock bridges (about the oldest part of the Balkans and Yagodina Cave is among the longest 40 m. high) covering an area of 40,3 boast some of the loveliest coniferous caves in Bulgaria (more than 10 000m hectares. woods in the country. The landscape mapped so far), considered to be one of Bachkovo Monastery is the second is gentle and rounded, consisting of the most beautiful in Europe with its largest Bulgarian monastery. high ridges and deep river valleys with outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, Plovdiv (160 m a.s.l.) ranks as the gorges intermingling with river basins columns, ponds and cave pearls in them. second Bulgarian city in population and and valleys. Here one can also find The Devil's Throat Cave has its name size. The old town of Plovdiv is one of 70% of the world minerals, as well as from the fact that if you let something flow the oldest European towns some 600 caves. Flora and fauna in the cave river it never comes out again. contemporary to Troy and Mikena. contain species that have become There is a cave waterfall - one of the extinct in other European countries. In highest underground waterfalls in Europe, Itinerary: contrast with our tour of the Balkan 42 m high. Mountains, this tour will take you even Trigrad (1250 m a.s.l.) is a small Day 1. Arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport higher, to around 2,000 m, or 6561 ft. mountain village picturesquely situated in and spend the night in Sofia or Plovdiv Most of the mileage is done on the central part of the Rodopi Mountains. depending on your arrival time. Please asphalt main roads, with relatively little Devin (716 m a.s.l.) The town is mostly note that the starting point of the trip is traffic, that are well-suited for biking. famous for its mineral springs known from between these two cities so you may Along them cyclists can see some old- ancient times. meet the rest of the group on the style means of transportation: wooden Shiroka Luka (1060 m a.s.l.) Numerous morning of Day 2 prior to Stage 1 of the carts pulled by horses, donkeys or houses preserving the typical Rodopean tour. cows. You may also meet some architecture, speech, songs and customs nomadic gypsies, picking mushrooms of local people have given the village the Day 2. Transfer (1,15hrs) to the starting and berries in the woods, as well as status of an architectural, ethnographic point of the tour, some 10 km (6.2 miles) some local Muslim inhabitants and folklore reserve. away from Kostenets (1,000 m, or 3,280 growing tobacco and potatoes, or Smolyan (1000 m a.s.l.) is the biggest ft). The road travels deep into Rila herds of sheep or goats coming down town around, an administrative center of Mountains with the first village of from the mountain at the end of the the region. It is famous for the biggest Sestrimo appearing on the way. Further day. Planetarium with astronomic observatory up you continue to Belmeken dam on the Balkans and the beautiful natural through old coniferous woods, before Special highlights: surrounding including the famous Smolyan reaching the peak at 2,000 m, or 6561 Rodopi Mountains: The Rodopi lakes. ft. (the highest point of the whole tour). Mountains (highest peak: Golyam Cross forest situated near the The last few kilometers are quite steep Perelik (2191m a.s.l.) are the oldest picturesque village of Borovo it is a holy so you may prefer to travel in the mountains on the Balkan Peninsula. place with lots of chapels and healing supporting vehicle for this section. After Velingrad (800 m a.s.l.) is the largest streams, where according legends the 2 km (1.2 miles) of steep descent, the Bulgarian spa resort famous for its holy crucifixion cross has been brought blue eye of the Belmeken dam will healing hot mineral waters. and then buried. appear. The track then travels around Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] the banks of the dam, offering superb drink – Tsigov Chark and Shiroka Poliana views of the Rodopi Mountains. Then views over the Belmeken waters and dam. you reach the Smolyan Lakes region, the surrounding peaks. The Bulgarian Cycling specifics: where the supporting vehicle can either national sports team complex is Distance: 71 km (44.1 miles); time: 5 hrs; take you on or you can keep cycling to situated here. Passing through the uphill cycling: 600m (1,968 ft); downhill town of Smolyan(1,000 m), where you Yundola Pass meadows (the cycling: 700 m (2,296 ft) will stay overnight. Free time for a walk geographical border between Rila and /breakfast, dinner/ around the town. Rodopi Mountains), a nice descent will Throughout the stage the traffic is fairly take you to the edge of the town of Day 4. After breakfast the tour resumes in light and the road is in fairly good Velingrad (71 km, or 44.1 miles from the centre of Dospat (1,200 m, or 3,937 ft), condition. There are two places the start). Some 4 km (2.4 miles) where the track climbs steeply for the next throughout the stage where you can find further on and you will reach the hotel 2 km (1.2 miles). After a short while, the a restaurant/café or grocery store – (situated at 745 m, or 2,444 ft), where road begins to descend, before continuing Shiroka Luka and Stoykite village. we stay overnight in a hotel with hot its undulations through pastoral areas, a Cycling specifics: mineral water swimming pool. Roman bridge, spruce woods and potato Distance: 66 km (41 miles); time: 3.5 From the beginning of the stage down fields. The first bigger settlement along the hrs; uphill cycling: 950 m (3116 ft); to the Yundola countryside the traffic road is the town of Borino (16 km, or 9.9 downhill cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft) is very slow; you may see only a few miles, from the start), primarily inhabited /breakfast, dinner/ cars on the way. From Yundola by Muslims. This route affords beautiful onwards the traffic gets a little heavier. views over the central parts of the Rodopi Day 6. In the morning we set off from The road condition is good, with only Mountains, with the cycling accompanied the hotel in Smolyan in direction to the few short sections of potholes. There by a natural phenomenon – the historic place Rozhen (1400m) are two spots on the stage where you Buynovsko Gorge, which also acts as the upstream Byala river passing by the can find a restaurant/café or grocery gate to our next stop, the Yagodina Cave. small village of Sokolovtsi. We continue store – the aforementioned complex Be prepared for the low temperature climbing up to 1700m and a big by the Belmeken dam and in the inside the cave (6o C) during our cave picturesque meadow with junction which Iundola countryside. tour, which will take about an hour. marks the beginning of a gentle downhill Cycling specifics: Afterwards you can have lunch in the ride in direction to Laki town through Distance: 76 km (47.2 miles); time: restaurant just opposite the cave, beyond “Momina voda” protected area. Nerby is 5,30 hrs; uphill cycling: 500m (1,640 the river. The road now continues to the picturesque village of Borovo and ft); downhill cycling: 1,300 m (4,265 ft) Trigrad village, passing between the 250 the famous religious place with chapels /breakfast, dinner/ m (820 ft) high cliffs of the Trigrad Gorge and healing springs – Krastova Gora (1,450 m, or 4,757 ft) Here another sinister (Cross forest) . Overnight in Borovo. Day 3. Today's cycling begins at the cave – The Devil's Throat, housing one of Possible extension (8km) to Belitsa hotel in Velingrad (745 m, or 2,444 ft). the highest underground waterfalls in natural rock bridge. You pass through the picturesque Europe – awaits you. A kilometre or so Road conditions are good exept for landscape of Tsigov Chark further on you will find the village of some short sections before Laki town. countryside (with hotels, holiday huts Trigrad, where you will stay overnight in a Traffic is very slow and you bike on and restaurants) and then by the small family hotel (1,200 m, or 3,937 ft). isolated road. You can have lunch in Batak dam. Leaving Batak, the road The traffic on this stage remains very light Laki town or Borovo village. Preparing a starts rising steeply for the next 10 throughout. The road condition is good, lunch box the day before is also an km, or 6.2 miles, until reaching the bar one section – several kilometers of option. highest point of the stage – the downhill cycling before the Roman bridge. Cycling specifics: countryside around Kartela (1,700 m, There are two spots on the stage where Distance: 39 km (24.2 miles); time: or 5,577 ft). From this point on the you can find a restaurant/café or grocery around 3,30 hrs; uphill cycling: 700 m road descends for most of the way. store – Borino village and the Yagodina (1,312 ft); downhill cycling: 1300 m Some 8 km (4.9 miles) further on, the Cave. (4265 ft). road passes by the Beglika dam, Cycling specifics: /breakfast, dinner/ leading slightly uphill to the wall of the Distance: 50 km (31 miles); time: 4 hrs; Goliam Beglik dam. Some 45 km uphill cycling: 700 m (2,296 ft); downhill Day 7. The downhill ride continues (27.9 miles) from the start, you will cycling: 800 m (2,624 ft) along the picturesgue Jugovska River reach a section where the dam can /breakfast, dinner/ valley to the main road Smolyan- easily be viewed – and accessed Plovdiv. Short transfer brings you to the through the forest. It's a good spot for Day 5. A pleasant descent along Wonderfull Bridges rocky phenomenon a picnic and siesta in the fresh air. Trigradska River brings you to the village for short sightseeing. After that you After that the road takes you to of Grohotno and the nature phenomenon cycle back downhill towards the road to another jewel in the Rodopi Mountains "The Elephant" – a 10 m high rock Plovdiv. The next village on the way is – the Shiroka poliana dam – before formation. Then the biking continues the spa centre of Narechenski Bani. continuing on to the town of Dospat upstream the Shirokolushka River to the After 5 km (3.1 miles) you reach the where we stay overnight (1,200 m, or village of Shiroka Luka (1,060 m, or 3,477 second largest monastery in Bulgaria – 3,937 ft). ft). We stop here to savour the spirit of this Bachkovo. Here we have lunch and the The traffic on this route is fairly busy architectural reserve, famous for its cycling ends. After this, you travel by car for the first 5 km (3.1 miles), before preserved houses dating back from the to Plovdiv for overnight. becoming very quiet. The road surface Bulgarian Revival Period and the National (80 km (or less depending on the is generally good. There are several folklore school. After lunch we continue group’s mood); uphill cycling: 650m; places throughout the stage where biking through the village of Stoykite, downhill cycling: 1250m) you can stop for something to eat or heading through some wonderful The road conditions of the first section coniferous forests which offering awesome are good with very slow traffic. The 16 Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] km (9.9 mile) road from that point to always skip some harder stages using the front suspension “Zoom” (30 mm travel), The Wonderful Bridges is very supporting vehicle. “Shimano” components (shifters, crank, isolated – but offers biking amid lush chain, V-brakes), back luggage carrier greenery. The road surface is Road conditions: We use two-way roads with double-sided rear panniers generally in very good condition. (one band per direction) with an asphalt 2. Mountain bike - RAM – HT 1 There are many places throughout the covering (the latter usually not brand Brand new lightweight hardtail stage where you can pause for new!). The country roads are quite performance mountain bike with something to eat or drink – the peaceful, sometimes without any cars. aluminum frame suitable for off road Wonder Bridges area, Narechenski The road surface in these areas may be biking and asphalt cycling. 24 gears, Bani, petrol stations on the way and not very smooth at some stages. The “Rox shocks Dart 1” front suspension so on. traffic might be a little bit heavier at some (80 mm travel), “Avid” V-brakes, Cycling specifics: sections but only for a short while. “Truvativ” crankset, “Sram” shifters and Distance: 80 km (50 miles); time: derailleur, “Mavic” 26” rims. about 5 hrs; uphill cycling: 100 or Tour type: IT + / GT 650m (depending on the group’s Group size: Min. 2 persons mood); downhill cycling: 1,250 m Difficulty grade: B, C (4,100 ft) The price includes: equipped bike /breakfast / Best period: May – October (helmets and saddle bags are provided upon request only); English-speaking Day 8. After breakfast you will be Weather: guide/driver with a supporting vehicle; transferred to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport Temperatures expected for this period are map; roadbook; transfers from/to Sofia for departure (transfer time: 20 min to between +10 and +30oC. Sometimes airport; accommodation and boarding as Plovdiv Airport or 2 hrs to Sofia noontime could be a little exhausting for mentioned above; VAT and all local Airport) cycling on open territories. Rainfalls or taxes (entrance fees not included). /breakfast/ short but heavy showers are possible, being a bit prolonged during spring and The price does not include: tips, Accommodation: late autumn. dinners on day 1 and day 2 entrance We stay in family-run hotels fees, alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other /guesthouses with private facilities on Equipment and clothing: personal expenses. halfboard (7 breakfast & 5 dinners), no Equipped road or mountain bike are dinners on day 1 and 7 (Sofia and provided by the company. Helmets and Plovdiv) saddle bags are provided upon request only. No special equipment needed for Luggage transportation: this tour (for list with recommended items Luggage is taken care of throughout see “General”). the whole trip. NB! Biking without helmet is not Additional tour info: advisable. We strongly recommend you to All bikers receive a detailed roadbook bring your own helmet or rent one from us. and map. The guide with the supporting vehicle and the luggage Bicycles: inside checks several times a day if For our cycling tours we provide the everything is OK with the group, following high quality bikes: waiting by crossroads, accompanying 1. Road bike – Drag Marathon them for breakfast, lunch and dinner Touring road bike excellent for long and giving them talks by the most distance cycling on asphalt roads with light interesting sites en-route. Bikers can aluminum frame and 28” rims. 21 gears,

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 3 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] GENERAL - Lozenets -a peaceful small village with a Population - 7 538 000 (2003) (83,9 % ======beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests ethnic Bulgarians; 9,4% Turks; 4,7% TOUR TYPES & GRADES of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go Roma; rest – smaller minorities Russians, We provide different varieties of tours as walking, biking or riding horses. Armenians, Vlachs, Jews, Karakachans regards to their types and difficulty grades! ======etc.) Whether you will choose individual and Equipment and clothing: Relligion – 82,6% Orthodox, 12,2% Islam, group tours with a guide or combined tours Recommended items: good quality padded 0,7% Protestant, 0,5% Catholics, 4,1% with a guide for some part of the trip cycling shorts (baggy style); cycling helmet; Others. depends on you. We emphasize on using cycling shoes; fleece headband; fingerless Capital city - Sofia (1 377 531 people in local experienced guides with knowledge of biking gloves; lightweight windproof biking 2006) the local language, culture, history, art, etc. jacket; waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper Bigest towns - Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, The tours are conducted in the English jacket; sunglasses with UV protection; Rouse, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, language. Guides in other languages are sunscreen lotion and lip balm. Pleven available upon request. ======Mountains - 37 (biggest - Balkan Tour types Money and personal expenses Mountain: length - ~ 550 km.; width - ~ 30- Our tours are divided in different tour types, You will need some extra money to cover 60 km.); (highest - Rila Mountain - peak regardless of being guided or not or if meals, drinks and extra trips not included in the Musala - 2 925 m.a.s.l.) someone travels alone or in a group. We tour price. Additional money for souvenirs and Boundaries - North - Romania; East - have prepared your vacation so that you can personal things could also be spent. That is Black Sea (coastline 378 km.); West - concentrate on new impressions and why it is always necessary to have Bulgarian Serbia, Macedonia; South - Greece, experiences, awaiting you all the time. Here money in cash. Turkey; is a description of the various tours: The payments in Bulgaria are usually made in Distribution of the lands - 0 - 400 m.a.s.l. - IT+: Individual tours with a guide "LEV" (BGN), which is the official currency. The 59,8 %; 400 - 1000 m.a.s.l. - 27,6 %; 1000 The same as the Individual tours, with the exchange rate with EU and USD is quite - 2000 m.a.s.l. - 11,9 %; over 2000 m.a.s.l. only difference that there is a local guide changing sometimes, but approximately it is: - 0,7 % provided for some of the days. During the BGN:EU - 2:1; BGN:USD - 1,5-1. Credit Cards Protected areas - 3 national parks, 10 days with a local guide most probably you could be used primarily in some supermarkets nature parks, 55 reserves, 35 managed will be together with other tourists. and restaurants in the biggest cities as well as reserves, over 350 protected areas and GT: Group tours in the petrol stations. Usually it is marked on 500 natural monuments There is a guide accompanying you their front doors if Credit Cards are accepted. ======throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the ATMs ("bankomates") are more frequent (again Weather airport upon arrival and leaving you at the in the biggest towns only!). Traveler's cheques Mean year temperature - + 10,5 °C (Abs. airport again for departure. We use well- take quite a lot of time to handle and not each Min. - -38,3 °C ; Abs. Max. - + 45,2 °C) trained and experienced local people with bank deals with them (in many cases it takes Mean rainfall per year - 416 - 650 mm. in good knowledge of English. The group size even few days since their deposition in the the lowlands; 650 - 1193 mm. in the is normally 6-12 people, if not specially bank!) - thus they are not recommended! highlands mentioned. Here are some examples of comparative costs Rainy days per month – May – 7; June – ------in Bulgaria (NB: prices in mid-range 8; July – 6; August – 3; September – 6; Difficulty grades restaurants!): (number may be higher in the mountains) To prepare yourself for the best of your - Coffee – 0,3 Euro Mean daily/night temperatures (up to 1000 vacation we recommend that you start - Tea – 0,3 Euro m a.s.l.) - May – 22/12 °C; June – 26/16 planning it in an advance. Good physical - Beer (0,5 l) – 0,7-1 Euro °C; July – 28/17 °C; August – 26/15 °C; condition is required. In order to achieve it - Soft drink (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,8 Euro September – 23/13 °C; we advise you to start walking, jogging or - Bottle of water (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,5 Euro cycling everyday. Swimming a couple of - Bottle of mark red wine (0,75 l) - 5-10 Euro times a week is also highly recommended. - Three-course lunch - 4-7 Euro Altitudinal distribution of annual You do not need much to get yourself in - Lunch pack - 3-5 Euro temperatures in Bulgaria shape. And don't forget that the most - Tips – 10% of the important tip for an unforgettable active restaurant bill Weather Bulgaria holiday is to choose a trip which corresponds ======to your physical condition! ======25 C: Difficult Cell phone 4, 5 – 5, 5 hours of cycling per day on coverage 20 average. At some steep (but short) parts you Currently the whole 15 may need to push your bike. These are territory of Bulgaria 500 m a.s.l. 1000 m a.s.l. usually mountain biking tours along dirty is covered with a 10 roads and mountain paths. Bikers should be mobile connection. 2000 m a.s.l. 5 well prepared to face trails with climbs and However the Temperature ) C ( bumpy parts from time to time. Some trekking & cycling 0 physical preparations are essential before tours are done in April June August October booking a tour with this grade. mountainous areas -5 ======where the signal Months Extensions: Yes, Black Sea could be weak or This is a unique proposal, which gives you even lacking from time to time. In such a the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one situation you just need to change your location week more at the incredibly low price! We a bit in order to find available network. can offer a great variety of means of ======accommodation - from home stays (no Electricity meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) In Bulgaria two-pin sockets are normal. Voltage on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast: is 220 watts. If you come from the U.S. or UK - Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with you need to purchase an adapter, which is hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, available only in Bulgarian cities and biggest water-sports facilities etc. winter and sea resorts. - Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded ======by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Brief about Bulgaria Quarters and a specific atmosphere. Territory - 110 912 sq. km. Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 4 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]